Wenger ‘concerned’ about lack of defensive cover at Arsenal

Posted Sunday, August 17, 2014 by Talksport.co.uk

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he is concerned about the lack of defensive cover in his squad.

The Gunners were without first-choice defender Per Mertesacker for their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, with the German international yet to reach full fitness following the summer’s World Cup.

Summer signing Calum Chambers, 19, put in another impressive display as a make-shift centre-half in the last-gasp 2-1 win over the Eagles, though an injury to Kieran Gibbs proved another blow to Wenger’s already stretched defensive resources.

And the Frenchman did confess he isn’t satisfied with his options at the back, suggesting he could dip back into the transfer market before the end of the month.

"Yes, I am concerned,” said the Gunners boss.

"We’ve had to be creative with buying a right-back [Chambers] and playing him as a centre-back, that shows you it’s difficult to find the right quality in that position.

"As I’ve said many times, we’re still on the market and should the right opportunity present itself we will take it.”

Asked if the club have made any offers, he added: “No, but it’s possible [they will before the window closes].”

Arsenal left it late to secure three points against a plucky Palace, Aaron Ramsey tapping home in stoppage-time to secure victory over the managerless side.

The Eagles were left devastated following Tony Pulis’ exit as boss less than 48 hours before their trip across the capital, but Wenger praised the spirit of his opponents, who took the lead through debutant Brede Hangeland in the first half.

"Credit to Palace, they fought hard,” he said. “They were physically strong and well organised.

"We still lack a little bit a change of pace, but they gave us big problems in defence. But we keep going, that's one of our strengths, and it paid off today."

Ramsey seems to have continued his match-winning form in the new top flight season and the Welshman, too, was impressed with their London neighbours.

The midfielder added: "It was very difficult. They came out and defended really well and were very tough to break down.

"They lost their manager earlier in the week but you'd never have known that the way they played. But that's irrelevant. The result is what we were looking for and we got the three points."